The worst 1997 Western Star Constellation problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
Recalls 2
Service brakes, air: supply: low pressure warning: switch
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: heavy duty 6x4 trucks equipped with either hendrickson rt/rs series suspensions or chalmers 800 series suspensions, with a wheel base greater than 250 inches, and western star's air '96' air brake system without anti-lock brakes. These vehicles do not meet the air brake release time required by fmvss no. 121, "air brake systems."
- Risk
- Air brake release time may be longer than anticipated by the operator increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install an in-line quick release valve in each of the drop lines to the rear most brake chambers.
Recall number 97V151000 · Recall details
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: conventional trucks and truck/tractors equipped with a firewall adapter plate for the steering shaft boot. Insufficient clearance between the top of the steering shaft and the top of the opening in the adapter plate can cause the steering shaft to contact the top of the firewall adapter opening wearing a groove in the steering shaft. If the groove is allowed to wear deep enough, the shaft can fail.
- Risk
- If the steering shaft fails, steering control will be lost increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the firewall adapter plate on the affected vehicles.
Recall number 97V075000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1997 Western Star Constellation
Defect investigations
Steering columns
These vehicles were equipped with a firewall adapter plate for the steering shaft boot with an insufficient clearance between the steering shaft and the top opening in the adapter plate.
RQ98004
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Western Star Constellation 13
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Western star: around the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) an excessive amount of crystal or powder built up...
- Western star: lubricate wheel bearings, rear drive axles. js
- Western star: EPA07 exhaust bellows replacement. if a failed exhaust bellows on an EPA07 engine...
- Western star trucks: the rear suspension air-spring assembly has been redesigned. rm
- Western star trucks: instructions to remove, inspect, and reseal the lower pinion cover on the rear axles. rm
- Western star trucks: information on wheel bearing lubrication in the rear axle. rm
- Western star trucks: the procedure to replace the power steering pump with a different version pump. rm
- Western star trucks: there are new cgi bellows due to current ones that are prone to failure. rm
- Western star: trw TAS85 steering gear internal leakage test. some trw TAS85 steering gears have been...
- Western star truck: 5 piece back of cab service crossmember. 5 piece bolted service crossmembers are an...
See all 13 bulletins for the 1997 Western Star Constellation
Compare the 1997 Western Star Constellation
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Questions about the 1997 Western Star Constellation
Is the 1997 Western Star Constellation reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 1997 Western Star Constellation.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Western Star Constellation?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 1997 Western Star Constellation have?
2 recalls, covering service brakes, air and steering.
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